Review | AMD Ryzen 5 2400G AM4 APU

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G “Raven Ridge” APU Review

The discrete graphics arms race between Nvidia and AMD is a fierce one. The same could be said with Intel and AMD going head to head on the CPU side of things. AMD is battling two fronts here from what appears to be a pincer move from the companies. That said, AMD is now on the offensive with the release of the Ryzen 5 2400G. A 4 core, 8 thread CPU with the Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics inside.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is slated to feature a $169 SEP. According to AMD, this puts the Ryzen 5 2400G in the spot where it offers a commanding performance against competitors. On this review, we are going to explore the Ryzen 5 2400G’s processing and gaming performance with and without a discrete graphics card. Let us get started.

ZEN X86 MICRO-ARCHITECTURE:

The Zen microarchitecture represents a leap in core execution capability versus AMD’s previous desktop designs. Notably, the Zen architecture features a 1.75X larger instruction scheduler window and 1.5X greater issue width and resources; this change allows Zen to schedule and send more work into the execution units. Further, a new micro-op cache allows Zen to bypass L2 and L3 cache when utilizing frequently-accessed micro operations.

The Zen architecture’s characteristics requires major revisions to cache hierarchy with dedicated 64KB L1 instruction and data caches, 512KB dedicated L2 cache per core, and 8MB of L3 cache shared across four cores.

Beyond adopting the more power efficient 14nm FinFET process, the Zen architecture specifically utilizes the density-optimized version of the Global Foundries 14nm FinFET process. This permits for smaller die sizes and lower operating voltages across the complete power/performance curve.

Scalability in the Zen architecture starts with the CPU Complex (CCX), a natively 4C8T module. Each CCX has 64K L1 I-cache, 64K L1 D-cache, 512KB dedicated L2 cache per core, and 8MB L3 cache shared across cores. Each core within the CCX may optionally feature SMT for additional multi-threaded capabilities. More than one CCX can be present in a Zen-based product.

VEGA GRAPHICS ARCHITECTURE:

VEGA is the most sweeping change to AMD’s core graphics technology. It is intended to meet the needs of both professional graphics and gaming applications.

The geometry engines in VEGA has been tuned for higher polygon throughput while avoiding unnecessary processing. It efficiently process polygons that make up the game, helping boost FPS.

VEGA’s new primitive shader support allows parts of the geometry processing to be combined and replaced with a new highly efficient shader type. These flexible shaders can be launched quickly, enabling four times the peak primitive cull-rate per clock cycle.

The programmable compute units at the heart of VEGA GPUs have been designed to address this changing landscape with the addition of a feature called Rapid Packed Math. Support for 16-bit packed math doubles peak floating-point and integer rates relative to 32-bit operations. It also halves the register space as well as the data movement required to process a given number of operations.

AMD A350 CHIPSET:

AMD’s AM4 Platform currently consists of 3 known chipsets. That’s the X370, A/B350 and A320 chipset in chronological order. What we have here is the MSI B350I PRO AC ITX motherboard, featuring the AMD B350 Chipset.

X370

B350

A320

USB 2.0

6

6

6

USB 3.1 G1

6

2

2

USB 3.1 G2

2

2

1

SATA

4

2

2

SATA Express (2x SATA III or 2x PCIe 3.0)

2

2

2

PCI-e 2.x

8

6

4

SATA RAID

0, 1, 10

0, 1, 10

0, 1, 10

Multi-GPU

Yes

No

No

Overclocking

Yes

Yes

No

The B350 sits flush next to the enthusiast level X370, dubbed by AMD as a flexible performance geared chipset. It supports overclocking, has plenty of IO options and supports multi-GPU if enabled by AMD’s board partner.

TEST SETUP AND METHODOLOGY:

The performance of the system shall be evaluated by various benchmarking tools and applications. With the CPU, memory and gaming performance being the focus of the tests. We are testing this system with the high-performance settings enabled at the OS, with the default UEFI configuration. Background processes such as anti-virus and third-party applications are disabled as well. Outlined below are the applications and benchmark tools for reference:

TEST SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-6600K

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G

MOTHERBOARD

ASUS Z170-A

MSI B350I PRO AC

CPU COOLER

Cryorig C1 Top Flow (Removed the top VRM heatsink to support the MSI B350I PRO AC)

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G TEMPERATURE AND POWER:

System power consumption is evaluated during idle and a 15-minute load via the AIDA64 System Stability Test. Power readings are recorded with a watt-meter.

The AIDA64 System Stability Test is also used to evaluate the system thermals. Readings are taken with AIDA64 and is cross-referenced with HWiNFO.

Power figure is the highest we’ve seen so far from any AMD Ryzen systems we’ve tested. This could be due to the compatibility issue with AIDA64, ramping up even the integrated GPU while testing the system with a discrete GPU.

We actually got a 118.5W on the wall without a discrete GPU so there’s that if you’re planning to use the 2400G without a graphics card. Temperature on the other hand is pretty good. We got 72ºC max on our Cryorig C1.

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G CPU AND MEMORY PERFORMANCE:

Super PI is a single-threaded program that calculates pi to a specified number of digits after the decimal point. It is a widely used benchmark and stress test within the industry.

WPrime is a multi-threaded program that calculates a set number of square roots for estimating functions. It verifies the results by squaring them, then compares it with the original numbers.

The AIDA64 Memory Benchmark measure the data transfer bandwidth and latency of the system memory. On this benchmark, we are measuring the memory kit’s latency.

Our single threaded benchmark suggests that the Ryzen 5 2400G is faster than the Ryzen 5 1500X. Multi-threaded benchmarks suggests the same. Memory latency performance on the other hand is the best among the other Ryzen processors.

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G PRODUCTIVITY PERFORMANCE:

GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free and open-source image editing tool. A 7 MB worth of images is be processed and converted to gauge the system performance.

HandBrake is a free video encoding tool that supports a wide variety of media codecs. A 150MB worth MP4 video is converted using the H.264 codec to gauge the system performance.

WinRAR is a file archive utility that can create, view and unpack numerous archive file formats. The software’s built in benchmark tool is utilized to gauge the system performance.

GIMP loves high frequency and chips with good memory latency. On this benchmark, the Ryzen 5 2400G is on par with the Ryzen 5 1500X model. WinRAR and HandBrake also suggests a comparable performance figure with the said processor.

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G GAMING PERFORMANCE:

Battlefield 4 is Electronic Art’s popular First Person Shooter, running on the Frostbite 3 game engine developed by DICE. It utilizes the DirectX 11 and the Mantle API.

DIRT: Rally is CODEMASTER’s take on the rally racing game genre. It utilizes the EGO game engine with support for the DirectX 11 API.

Gaming performance wise, the trend is still the same with other Ryzen products with a discrete GPU.

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G + RADEON RX VEGA 11 GAMING PERFORMANCE:

The onboard graphic’s gaming performance of the APU is tested with 6 popular DirectX games at 1080P on various settings.

Looking at the chart we could see that on average, the RX VEGA 11 onboard the Ryzen 5 2400G is 157% slower than the GTX 1050, that’s even with adjusting the UMA to 2GB. Going over 30 FPS at 1080P requires you to adjust the settings to either medium or low on most titles. For best blend of performance and eye candy, try playing with the texture quality, anti-aliasing and effects that could consume a lot of the APU’s shared memory. That is, if you do not want to overclock it.

We are still exploring the APU’s capabilities. This page will be updated with more results or links to results once we got our hands on the proper hardwares.

OVERCLOCKING THE AMD Ryzen 5 2400G WITH THE RYZEN MASTER:

Overclocking the Ryzen 5 2400G requires at least an AMD B350 motherboard. We are obliged to use the Ryzen Master but regardless, we also tested out overclocking via the UEFI / BIOS.

Overclocking with the Ryzen Master is just as easy as sliding a few settings and ramping up a few voltage settings. Going 4.0GHz with the Ryzen 5 2400G using this method is again a piece of cake. Mind that you should set the GPU clock at 1250MHz since the current version of Ryzen Master defaults it at 400MHz.

I like how the Ryzen 2400G’s VEGA 11 unit responds to overclocking. We could easily set the GPU clock at 1500MHz with a VID of 1.2v. By default, our system got a score of 2966 at Firestrike. That said, the 8.5% increase via GPU clock overclocking alone is impressive.

WRAPPING IT UP:

The Ryzen 5 2400G had just landed at $169 SEP and what can we say about it? A lot. First off let us talk about its CPU side performance. Looking at the benches, the Ryzen 5 2400G is faster than the Ryzen 5 1500X on single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. It is also faster than the Core i5 6600K and 7600K on multi-threaded applications. Suffice to say, the Ryzen 5 2400G is like the 1500X but just better.

Gaming performance wise, we are looking at similar figures with other Ryzen systems. That’s with a discrete GPU installed. With the Ryzen VEGA 11, we are looking at a capable integrated graphics that could easily push 30 FPS with the right settings. Looking over my old test results I could say that the Ryzen 5 2400G’s integrated graphics performance is similar to the GTX 650. You just have to live with the fact that while it is Full HD gaming capable, lowering the settings are required for the best possible performance. You either go with a lower resolution, or lower the settings. Still, a very capable APU with 8 logical cores to match.

Thermals are pretty good while we can’t actually say the same with the power consumption. This is a possible issue with our methodologies so we are continuing to explore this one.

With the rising GPU demand and cryptomining on the loose, the Ryzen 5 2400G seems to be a glove fit just for the job. It might not feature a $100 USD graphics performance but we cannot dismiss that for $169 USD, this is a 2-in-1 package that you do not want to miss – gamer, or not.

EXCELLENT MULTI-THREADING PERFORMANCE

CAPABLE INTEGRATED GRAPHICS INSIDE

FRIENDLY OVERCLOCKING FEATURES

EXCELLENT PRICE-POINT

GOOD THERMALS

POWER CONSUMPTION**

GPU COULD BE CLOCKED HIGHER

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G with Radeon RX Vega AM4 APU

GENERAL PERFORMANCE

POWER EFFICIENCY

THERMALS

VALUE

4.1

Summary

With the rising GPU demand and cryptomining on the loose, the Ryzen 5 2400G seems to be a glove fit just for the job. It might not feature a $100 USD graphics performance but we cannot dismiss that for $169 USD, this is a 2-in-1 package that you do not want to miss – gamer, or not.

2 Comments

It’s amazing that you can run The Witcher in the first place with the on-board GPU. I imagine that if you lower the settings a bit or if you drop to 720P, then all games will be more than playable. The ultra settings usually cause a huge performance drop.